Help students stay physically healthy by supporting mental health

BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIME

Page 21 Help students stay physically healthy by supporting mental health

By Amber McIver-Traywick

The Surveyor

When you think of health many people think about staying physically healthy. However, mental health is ust as important as staying physically fit. In fact, they are linked.

People who suffer from mental illness tend to have lower immunity. In several studies published in the National Library of Medicine, good mental health has been shown to improve the immunological mechanisms not only that regulate the health of a person but they are also important to how individuals adapt to the environment around them and reduce inflammation in the body that unchecked can lead to chronic diseases like heart disease.

The American Psychological Association also confirms that stress, particularly long-term stress, can reduce the number of natural killer cells or lymphocytes in the body which are needed to fight viruses.

In a regular school year once dozens of students are packed into rooms together in close proximity colds and other common viruses and bacteria abound but with more drug-resistant “superbugs” being seen in the U.S. as well as new strains of coronavirus still a concern staying healthy mentally and physically is more important than ever.

Mental health includes our psychological, social and emotional well-being. Going through the trials of living through a pandemic has been challenging for children and adults and as a new school year approaches it’s more important than ever to check in with the young people in your life about how their mental health is.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than 1 in 3 high school students had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2019, a 40% increase since 2009. In 2019, approximately 1 in 6 youth reported making a suicide plan in the past year, a 44% increase since 2009.

The pandemic certainly hasn’t helped. According to one study published by the CDC emergency department visits by children age 12 to 17 for suspected suicide attempts were significantly higher during much of the pandemic compared to previous years. The same study showed that adolescent girls were impacted the greatest with these hospital visits rising more than 50% during the winter of 2021 compared to 2019 nationwide.

Mental health problems in youth often go hand-in-hand with other health and behavioral risks like increased risk of drug use, experiencing violence, and higher risk sexual behaviors that can lead to HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy. Because many health behaviors and habits are established in adolescence that will carry over into adult years, it is very important to help young people develop good mental health.

The good news is that humans are incredibly resilient, and teens are no exception. Even if you or someone you know is dealing with a mental health condition or challenge there are strategies that can help.

Children and adolescents need to feel connected to their family and school to be mentally healthy and reach their full potential. Building strong bonds and relationships with adults and friends provide that sense of connection. Just knowing the adults in their life care about them can improve outcomes for teens dramatically. The following are tips to help young people stay healthy mentally or help those who may be struggling: • Communicate openly and honestly, including what their values are. • Supervise children and adolescents to facilitate healthy decision-making. • Spend time with them enjoying shared activities. • Become engaged in school activities and help with homework. • Volunteer at their school. • Communicate regularly with teachers and administrators.

Although mental health issues can feel like a major obstacle there are small steps everyone can take to stay healthy. Mentalhealth.gov recommends the following: • Getting professional help if you need it • Connecting with others • Staying positive • Getting physically active • Helping others • Getting enough sleep • Developing healthy coping skills

If you or someone you know are struggling, reach out to a local mental health professional or consider these options:

Colorado Spirit — A support line the provides safe and anonymous counseling by trained professionals for people of all ages dealing with anxiety, depression, hopelessness, worry or even cabin-ever due to the pandemic. Phone: 970-221-5551

Lifestance – In-person and telehealth counseling for children and adults including families and couples. Accepts all major insurances including Medicaid. Offer appointments within 7 days. Phone: 970-310-3406

Turning Point Center for Youth and Family Development — Specializes in adolescent substance abuse, mental health and trauma. Accepts Medicaid and other major insurances. Phone: 970-221-0999.

Suicide crisis intervention:

Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County — 482-2209

Crisis Assessment Center (Loveland) — 624-1635

Larimer Center For Mental Health (Loveland) — 494-9870 -hour Colorado ental Health Crisis ree, confidential, and immediate professional help for mental health, substance use, and emotional issues. Providing information, referrals, and connections to further support and solutions. Offering a crisis support line, crisis walk-in centers/stabilization units, mobile care, and respite care. 1-844-493-TALK (8255) www.ColoradoCrisisServices.org or text-phone number 38255 and type TALK in the message.

Safe-2-Tell — Colorado provides students and adults in CO an increased ability to both prevent violence and report concerning behaviors by making safe, ANONYMOUS reporting.

Make a report: 1-877-542-7233 safe2tellco.org mobile app.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIME

July 29, 2021

Berthoud Weekly Surveyor

Promote healthy weight starting with school lunch

Special to the Surveyor

Although there are a variety of theories behind the growing obesity problem plaguing North American adults and children, the most consistent fi ndings point to caloric intake as the culprit. Here’s a simple equation to get to the root of the problem:

Calories eaten > calories spent = weight gain.

According to National Health Examination Surveys, adult obesity trends in the United States between 1976 and 2014 indicate the percentage of the adult population classifi ed as obese has roughly doubled to more than 38 percent in the last three decades. Children may be learning eating habits from their parents, potentially contributing to rising obesity rates in children as well. Recent fi ndings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate one in fi ve school-aged children and young people in the United States is obese. In Canada, the Public Health Agency says roughly one in seven children is obese.

Teaching children healthy eating habits starts at home and can extend to what students are given to eat while at school. The Center for Science in the Public Interest says schools across the country are working hard to improve school nutrition.

Here’s how parents and school districts can help make school lunches more nutritious and delicious and lower in calories.

Control snack intake.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that more than one-fourth of kids’ daily caloric intake comes from snacking. Choosing smarter snacks may help reduce overeating. Good snacks can include grain products that contain 50 percent or more whole grains by weight; snacks in which the primary ingredient is a fruit, a vegetable, dairy product, or lean protein; snacks that are a combination food that contain at least a 1/4 cup of fruits or vegetables; and foods that contain no more than 200 calories.

Read nutritional information.

When selecting foods for school lunches, parents should read the nutritional information to make sure they know exactly what they are feeding their children. Select foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol and high in fi ber and nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.

Go with water.

Rethinking beverage choices can help control kids’ caloric intake. Many people don’t realize just how many calories beverages add to their daily intake. Even a six-ounce, 100-percent apple juice can include as many as 96 calories. Sodas and other soft drinks pack a hefty caloric punch. Water, seltzer and unsweetened iced tea are healthy beverage options. If milk is the go-to beverage, choose a reduced-fat version.

Introduce new foods.

Children can be notoriously picky eaters, but with patience and perseverance, parents can introduce new, healthy foods at lunchtime. Yogurt, hummus and salsa are healthy and can add fl avor to vegetables and fruit. When making sandwiches, exchange refi ned breads for whole-grain varieties. Choose lean protein sources, and go heavy on vegetables and fruits for natural fi ber,

Did you know?

Special to the Surveyor

Many stores employ “loss leaders” during the back-to-school shopping rush. Essentially, loss leaders are products sold at a loss to attract customers into the store. Retailers hope shoppers will be tempted by a “penny deal” or another steep discount and then stick around, ultimately purchasing full-price items.

Shoppers can use loss leaders to their advantage. Those looking to save on school supplies should watch the circulars and commercials for these barely break-even deals and stock up on loss leaders, according to the savvy shoppers at The Krazy Coupon Lady.

This may require shopping for supplies over the course of a few days, as stores may feature different loss leaders during the week. By doing so, at the end of the week, shoppers may end up with much of their school supplies at quite the discount. which will create feelings of satiety.

Read the school menu.

Let children indulge in ordering from the school menu when healthy options are featured. Urge them to try something unexpected, rather than sticking to chicken nuggets or pizza days.

Healthy eating habits begin in childhood and can be initiated with school lunch.